Issue One Hundred and Fifty Six - March 07, 2019
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Shiva, we generally think is the form of the Shankara but actually Shiva is nothing but the truth which teaches us that you are divine. When we utter ‘Shivoham’ we are just identifying ourselves with the divinity, with the qualities of divinity of truth, being, awareness and bliss. If you want to experience sweetness, you have to eat a sweet. Similarly, if you want to experience God who is formless, you have to experience the God with a form and a name. Start with Sakar with a form, and end with Nirakar, the formless. The name and form of God are only a stepping stone to reach the ultimate state of formlessness and we should not get deluded and trapped with the name and form of God. -Baba
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With the Blessings of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, we are delighted to present our One Hundred and Fifty Sixth issue of Ananda Vahini. The weekly newsletter includes interesting musings and short excerpts from the week's events.
In this issue, we bring you a special report on the Maha Shivaratri Celebrations held at Sathya Sai Grama, Muddenahalli on March 04 and 05, 2019.
The summary of discourse delivered by Bhagawan during this auspicious day has also been presented. In His discourse, Bhagawan advised everyone to chant 'Nirvana Shatakam' also known as ‘Atma Shatakam’ by Adi Shankaracharya everyday, and this has also been included this week, along with its meaning.
In this week's INNER VIEW, Sri Madhusudan shares an interesting moment between Bhagawan and students.
- Sathya Sai Grama Communications Team.
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INNER VIEW
By Sri Madhusudan
Take Me
Come 10th grade public exams, and the boys are all eager to know which subjects to specialise in for their further studies at the Pre- University (PU) level.
So it’s a common sight during Darshan to see boys holding folded chits with the names of courses written in them for Swami to pick from, or keep the PU application form open with a pen for Swami to tick the choice of subjects, or simply be on their knees to attract His attention and ask Him square and straight, “Swami, what should I take in Pre-University?”
Well, when one such boy rose to ask the question, pat came the reply from Swami, “Take Me”.
Though that was not the choice mentioned in the application form, yet Swami made Himself available to the boy to choose. I thought to myself, ‘What better subject could one study than God, what better education can there be than to know about divinity and what greater graduation can one get than self- realisation!’
Sri Aurobindo said, “Those who choose divine, are chosen by divine.”
Take God, the best choice!
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MAHA SHIVARATRI CELEBRATIONS
SATHYA SAI GRAMA, MUDDENAHALLI
MARCH 04 AND 05, 2019
March 04 – Morning
Although the auspicious occasion of Shivaratri occurs once every month, the festival of Maha Shivaratri falls once a year and is one of the most sacred events of the year. With the word Shivaratri itself meaning ‘auspicious night’, the celebrations could not have been more auspicious and sacred being spent in the Divine presence of the Parama Shiva Himself.
On the morning of 4th February, Bhagawan proceeded to the area behind Premamrutham Hall where He had performed the Bhoomi Puja last year for the upcoming Shiva statue. Bhagawan performed Puja and initiated the construction work to begin for this area which He has named as ‘Shivoham’. Thereafter, Bhagawan made His way to Premamrutham where the proceedings of the Linga Abhishekam were underway.
Bhagawan glided amidst the devotees who had gathered, interacting and blessing everyone before taking His throne on the dais. The Puja was interspersed with beautiful Vedic chants and devotional songs by the students and alumni of the Sri Sathya Sai Institutions. Bhagawan then lovingly walked among the devotees, showering sacred Puja water on each and every one. Upon completion of the Puja, Mangala Arati was offered to Bhagawan and Prasadam was distributed to all.
March 04 – Evening
On the evening of 4th March, the much-anticipated celebrations began with Rudram chanting at 5:30 p.m. Bhagawan arrived at Premamrutham amidst the sacred chants and after offering flowers to the Shiva Lingam, along with the dignitaries, Bhagawan lit the lamp marking the commencement of the proceedings....
To know more, click HERE
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Bhagawan looking at the plans of 'Shivoham'
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Artistic view of 'Shivoham'
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Performing Puja of the upcoming Lord Shiva statue
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Performing Bhoomi Puja for the upcoming Shiva statue and new hall, ‘Shivoham’
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Linga Abhishekam being performed at Sri Sathya Sai Premamrutham
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Beautifully decorated Maha Lingam after Maha Abhisekham
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Sprinkling the holy Abhisekham water
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Evening: Bhagawan with the guests performing Puja
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Initiating the night long Akhand Bhajan by lighting the ceremonial lamp
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Akhand Bhajans in progress
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Golden Lingam after Lingodbhavam
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Blessing the devotees
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March 05, morning: After Lingodbhavam
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Divine Discourse
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WHAT CAN DESTROY EVERY SINGLE FEAR YOU HAVE?
DIVINE DISCOURSE SUMMARY
SHIVARATRI CELEBRATIONS 2019
SATHYA SAI GRAMA, MUDDENAHALLI
MARCH 05, 2019
No need of great Mantra, Teertha, no need of doing great Tapas, Japa. No need of doing Teerthayatras, pilgrimages. This one thought, “Who am I? Who am I? Who am I?” if you ask and answer comes from inside, see, “So-ham, So-ham.” That is the truth that we have to contemplate on, not merely celebrating festivals – one night or one day – does not really make any difference. But most important is that at every moment, this truth is being told to us. This truth has to be contemplated upon. What helps us redeem ourselves by constant contemplation is Mantra.” This Mantra is there “Shivoham.” In future, a large Shivoham temple is going to come. Every evening as the sun sets, in the Sandhya kaala, Satvik kaala, all students should gather and remind themselves every evening, “Who am I? Who am I? I am none other Shiva Himself. I am none other than Divinity Himself.” The one who contemplates on it, he crosses over.
Even little of this Divinity if you realise, even a little bit of this truth if you gain, it will help you cross over greatest of the fears. Not ordinary fears, greatest of the fears – the fear of death, the fear of future, the fear of uncertainty, fear of sorrow, fear of …- all fears it will destroy. That is the power of realising your truth. In all senses, in all ways, in every action, in every thought, in every word, I only am, I only am. Na Muktir Na Bandha....
To know more, click HERE
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NIRVANA SHATAKAM
निर्वाणषटकम्
- composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya
Nirvana Shatakam (निर्वाणषट्कम्, Nirvāṇaṣaṭkam), composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya, around 788-820 CE, is one of the most well known among Sanskrit chants through which he declares his own direct and intimate experience of the bliss of Realisation. Also known as 'Atmashatkam' (आत्मषट्कम्, ātmaṣaṭkam), Nirvanashatkam is a composition consisting of six fold śloka (and hence the name Ṣaṭ-ka to mean six-fold) summarizing the basic teachings of Advaita Vedanta, or the Hindu teachings of non-dualism. 'Nirvāṇa' is complete equanimity, peace, tranquility, freedom and joy. 'Ātma' is the True Self.
The story goes as, this great saint, Ādi Śaṅkara was a young boy of eight was wandering in search of a Guru, a True Master near River Narmada. He meets Seer Govinda Bhagavatpada, who asked him: “Who are you?”. In response, Shankara spontaneously composed these six verses in reply. Swami Govindapada accepted Ādi Śaṅkara as his disciple. It was indeed Sri Govindapada who was the Guru for whom Adi Shankara was wandering and searching for. The verses are said to be valued to progress in contemplation practices that lead to Self-Realisation.
मनोबुद्ध्यहङ्कार चित्तानि नाहं
न च श्रोत्रजिह्वे न च घ्राणनेत्रे ।
न च व्योम भूमिर्न तेजो न वायुः
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥१॥
Mano Budhyahankaara Chittani Naaham
Na Cha Shrotra Jihve Na Cha Ghraana Netre
Na Cha Vyoma Bhumih Na Tejo Na Vayuh
Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham
Meaning:
I am not mind, nor intellect, nor ego, nor the reflections of inner self.
Neither am I the organs of Hearing (Ears), nor that of Tasting (Tongue), Smelling (Nose) or Seeing (Eyes)
Neither am I the Sky (Vyoma), nor the Earth
(Bhumih), Neither the Fire (Tejo), nor the Air (Vayu)
I am the Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness;
I am Shiva, I am Shiva, The Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness.
न च प्राणसंज्ञो न वै पञ्चवायुः
न वा सप्तधातुः न वा पञ्चकोशः ।
न वाक्पाणिपादं न चोपस्थपायु
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥२॥
Na Cha Praana Sanjno Na Vai Panchavaayuh
Na Vaa Saptadhaatuh Na Va Panchakoshah
Na Vaak Paani Paadau Na Chopasthapaayuh
Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham
Meaning:
Neither am I the Vital Breath, nor the Five Vital Airs (Prana, Apana, Vyana, Udana and Samana)
Neither am I the Seven Ingredients of the Body (plasma, blood, muscle, fat, bone, marrow/ nerve and reproductive tissue), nor the Five Sheaths of the Body (Annamaya, Pranamaya, Manomaya, Vijnanamaya, Anandamaya Kosha’s)
Neither am I the organ of Speech, nor the organs for Holding (Hand), Movement (Feet) or Excretion or Reproduction
I am the Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness;
I am Shiva, I am Shiva, The Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness.
न मे द्वेषरागौ न मे लोभमोहौ
मदो नैव मे नैव मात्सर्यभावः ।
न धर्मो न चार्थो न कामो न मोक्षः
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥३॥
Na Me Dvesharaagau Na Me Lobhamohau
Mado Naiva Me Naiva Maatsarya Bhaavah
Na Dharmo Na Chaartho Na Kaamo Na Mokshah
Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham
Meaning:
Neither do I have Hatred, nor Attachment, Neither Greed nor Infatuation
Neither do I have Pride, nor Feelings of Envy and Jealousy
I am Not within the bounds of Dharma (Righteousness), Artha (Wealth), Kama (Desire) and Moksha (Liberation) (the four Purusharthas of life)
I am the Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness;
I am Shiva, I am Shiva, The Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness.
न पुण्यं न पापं न सौख्यं न दुःखं
न मन्त्रो न तीर्थं न वेदा न यज्ञाः ।
अहं भोजनं नैव भोज्यं न भोक्ता
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥४॥
Na Punyam Na Paapam Na Saukhyam Na Dukham
Na Mantro Na Tirtham Na Vedaa Na Yajnaah
Aham Bhojanam Naiv Bhojyam Na Bhoktaa
Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham
Meaning:
Neither am I bound by Merits nor Sins, neither by Worldly Joys nor by Sorrows
Neither am I bound by Sacred Hymns nor by Sacred Places, neither by Sacred Scriptures nor by Sacrifies
I am Neither Enjoyment (Experience), nor an object to be Enjoyed (Experienced), nor the Enjoyer (Experiencer)
I am the Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness;
I am Shiva, I am Shiva, The Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness.
न मृत्युर्न शङ्का न मे जातिभेदः
पिता नैव मे नैव माता न जन्मः ।
न बन्धुर्न मित्रं गुरुर्नैव शिष्यं
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥५॥
Na Mrityushanka Na Me Jaatibhedah
Pitaa Naiva Me Naiva Maataa Na Janma
Na Bandhurna Mitram Guru Naiva Shishyah
Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham
Meaning:
Neither am I bound by Death and its Fear, nor by the rules of Caste and its Distinctions
Neither do I have Father and Mother,
nor do I have Birth
Neither do I have Relations nor Friends, I am neither a Teacher nor a Disciple
I am the Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness;
I am Shiva, I am Shiva, The Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness.
अहं निर्विकल्पो निराकाररूपो
विभुत्वाच्च सर्वत्र सर्वेन्द्रियाणाम् ।
न चासङ्गतं नैव मुक्तिर्न मेयः
चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥६॥
Aham Nirvikalpo Niraakaara Rupah
Vibhurvyaapya Sarvatra Sarvendriyaanaam
Sada Me Samatvam Na Muktirna Bandhah
Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham
Meaning:
I am Without any Variation, and Without any Form
I am Present Everywhere as the underlying Substratum of everything, and behind all Sense Organs
Neither do I get Attached to anything, nor get Freed from anything
I am the Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness;
I am Shiva, I am Shiva, The Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness.
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